Recently I watched the movie “Twister”, an adventure movie from the 1990’s about storm chasers researching tornadoes. It just seemed to be what we needed to do to pass some time, and little did I know how one line would stick with me.
As the intensity of the storm increased, the two researchers decide to head into the storm rather than avoid it. “Tighten your seat belt. I think we’re going in!” The one line turned my attention to another storm.
After a long day of teaching and feeding the crowd, we are told in Matthew 14:22 that “Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake” (NLT).
Somehow this little detail has always escaped my attention. The disciples were in a boat, far away from land, facing strong winds and fighting heavy waves. And it was all because Jesus had sent them into the storm.
Jesus was not in the boat with them but rather, He had gone up into the hills to be alone and pray.
We aren’t privy to the prayers Jesus offered while praying but I would like to think He was praying for the disciples. Perhaps He prayed for them to be filled with faith. Or to have courage. For them to be safe in the storm.
Or perhaps He prayed for them to understand He would be with them in the midst of the storm.
As the winds blew and the waves crashed upon their boat, Jesus came walking on the water towards them.
“But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” (verse 27, NLT)
We so long for a storm-free life. Yet Jesus tells us, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows” (John 16:33, NLT). But we can be confident that Jesus will be with us in the midst of the storms. Jesus is always there, sitting at the right hand of the Father, praying for us.
“Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.“ (Romans 8:34b, NIV)
What storm are you facing today? May this truth fill your heart and mind with with assurance –
Jesus, praying and interceding for us.
Jesus, comes to us in our storms.
Jesus, comes to us in our storms.
Photo by Ryan Moreno on Unsplash
Words that helped to read this morning. There are trials right now, and reading your post and your reference to John 15:33 is helpfully encouraging. The sorrows of a lost loved one is hard, but I like your reminder that Jesus will be with us in the midst of the storms, and that he's praying for all who lost a loved one or other trials. Have a great Sunday and rest of the week. :)
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